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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2002-02-02-2002426 1 CITY COUNCIL ,cfr' OF E V,1 � n -- ter— c �O�cc)k CO. ti� ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Bernstein Alderman Kent Alderman Moran A Quorum was present. NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Alderman Newman ABSENT: Aldermen Engelman and Feldman PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton February 2, 2002 Alderman Rainey Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Wynne A SPECIAL MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton on Saturday, February 2, 2002 at 9:24 a.m. in the Council Chamber for the purpose of conducting a budget workshop. Mayor Morton announced there would be no voting; the meeting was designed for staff to provide more information about the budget and a public hearing would be held Monday, February 4 with up to rhree hours for citizen comment. Public Works Director David Jennings reported on the first significant snowfall of the season. City Manager Roger Crum stated the City is facing a significant budget problem based on the recessionary economy and other factors. The City started out with a $4 million problem in a $70 million budget, which has been worked on since June 2001. The problem has worsened with lower revenues from the state. Council gave direction to present a balanced budget, as staff saw fit, recognizing they would have to look across the board at virtually every program in every department and ask for a priority level. They have good programs in departments but if forced to make $4 million in cuts or tax increases, they proposed some items that are undesirable to cut, yet Council has to determine where they are on the final priority list and should taxes be raised in lieu of cutting programs? Council has put in many hours thus far. A balanced budget must be adopted by February 28. They have tried to find what is best for the community long- term. Council/Staff has worked to make this budget one they can work with for at least two years and hope the economy will pick up this year. The budget presented has a 5'/2% property tax increase in the City's portion; possible significant restaurant tax; fine increases; vehicle sticker increase and significant program cuts. That day they would discuss Fleetwood-Jourdain Theater, the arts program and the Ecology Center. The next Saturday meeting would focus on the remaining group of major cuts: mental health services, community purchased services, emergency assistance and assistance to Evanston Community Media Center (cable television). That will complete the formal presentations and start final discussions by City Council, who will give direction on what goes into the budget. Parks/Forestry & Recreation Director Doug Gaynor explained the priorities and criteria of budget cuts represent a small percentage of overall department budget cuts. He explained the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre program (a significant black theater in metropolitan Chicago) is housed at the Family Focus building west of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center and consists of adult and children's theater with four productions each. For the past few years, through the Summer Youth Employment Program, a theater skills program was developed. In the cultural arts division, up for a cut, 2aq 2 February 2, 2002 is a currently vacant position for a program manager (camps, festivals, Black History month) and a decrease in the cultural arts grant program of $13,000. He explained this program has been budgeted at $43,000 of which $30,000 comes from the City and $13,000 from the state. The grant is a matching program and the City goes beyond the match. This would bring the City's contribution to $17,000 and they hope to get as much as they can from the state. Alderman Jean -Baptiste inquired whether the children's theater serves only the black community or the entire community? Mr. Gaynor stated both programs serve the entire community as far as audience participation. The adult program is specifically a black theater. The children's theater is open to everybody. The children's theater, run by the City, was moved to Fleetwood-Jourdain from the Levy Center about six -seven years a.o. Alderman Kent understood that Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Theatre, along with the Ethnic Arts Festival and other cultural programs, came about due to a lawsuit against the City for lack of cultural arts programs and asked for information on that. Alderman Rainey asked if youth are paid to participate in the arts skills program? Yes. Mr. Gaynor responded that youth in the arts skills program are from the Summer Youth Employment Program and professional artists are hired to supervise them. Alderman Rainey asked if the professionals for the arts and theater skills programs are paid from the Summer Youth Employment Program? Mr. Gaynor stated the professionals are paid from the General Fund. Human Relations Director Paula Haynes stated youth are paid and two supervisors are also provided. Mr. Gaynor said about $10,000 is budgeted for the theater program so if the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre program were eliminated, they would have to eliminate that summer program. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked Mr. Gaynor when he was evaluating programs to eliminate due to the budget deficit, did he consider revenue -generating ideas from the Evanston Arts Center or Noyes Cultural Arts Center? He understood that the Evanston Arts Center pays no rent and a private entity operates it. Mr. Gaynor said the Evanston Arts Center was not under his department. A non-profit group rents the space from the City for $1 dollar a year, artists work there and the City maintains the property. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked whether they considered charging that group more rent to help the budget deficit as opposed to the elimination of a program like the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre? Mr. Crum stated the Evanston Arts Center is an ongoing issue and the future of that property must be determined. Will the City continue to operate it as in the past, which means they put capital into it, but get no rent? It serves a good purpose but is costly to the City. One proposal is that it be turned over to the non-profit and they would be responsible for capital needs. Another proposal is to sell it. He said it is bigger than the item before them. The non-profit group has asked for time to study it. Facilities Management Director Max Rubin has wrestled with the facility's maintenance end and Council will have to face that as a policy issue in the near future. In response to Alderman Jean -Baptiste, Mr. Crum said this was not put on the table because there were no direct revenue/expenditures and it is a long-term problem. Alderman Jean -Baptiste suggested that location could generate significant rent and is worth millions. Mr. Crum stated it depends on what is allowed there. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked how much is spent annually to maintain the Arts Center? Mr. Crum stated they are on minimum maintenance of $5-10,000 annually but the building needs major maintenance. Assistant City manager Judith Aiello stated in this year's capital improvement budget, $60,000 is allocated for emergency repairs. They will look at it comprehensively and how much money needs to go into the building. She said there are problems with gutters and work has been done on the windows. She explained the Arts Center wanted to take over the coach house the City used to rent out. Both tenants left and the City was going to put money in to keep the coach house as rental. The Arts Center asked for time to look at that and recently decided they cannot raise funds for the coach house, so staff will come to the Human Services Committee with all the pieces. The Council gave the Arts Center people time to look at this so it was not appropriate to put it on the table for elimination. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked for a memo on the Evanston Arts Center, its value and possible rental income. Ms. Aiello said rent depends on what is allowed there and that it is part of Lighthouse Park District Complex with beach access. Parking and beach access would affect the value. She recommended a real estate appraiser be contacted to give some options. Alderman Jean -Baptiste understood an artist incubator program is at Noyes. Mr. Gaynor would call it an artist -in - residence program, where 27-29 artists have studios/offices such as Light Opera Works, Ken Arlen's Orchestra, painters, 22 Y 3 February 2, 2002 sculptors, Piven Theatre Workshop and Actors Gymnasium pay rent on a square foot basis. The Cultural Arts Division staff operates City programs there. Alderman Jean -Baptiste noted these artists are in pursuit of private business development. Mr. Gaynor stated many artists are non-profit and agreed that they are in business, whether private or non- profit. He stated rent is below market value and, to make up for that, each artist provides community service to make the rent equal to market value. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked for a memo on what the 27 artists do and the rent they pay. Alderman Kent suggested Council needs some information on the Evanston Arts Center; noted on the Internet it says the City makes this building available. He questioned membership and admission fees. Alderman Kent stated in considering moving Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre the need is to keep the program intact. They have discussed moving it to the Levy Center or Noyes. He asked if the theater were moved to the new Levy Center, would there be adequate space to store costumes/props, as well as practice and theater time? Previously in discussions about moving the theater to Noyes, stage time would be out of season and the four plays would not have adequate practice time. He stated this was a matter of having a program based somewhere so it can function and be successful because it could be fragmented so much it would fail. Mr. Gaynor stated there is a synergy when they have two programs that are intergenerational. They have looked at moving one or both programs and at moving the adult program to Noyes. The current theater group there has four productions, needs six weeks per production for a total of 24 weeks and rents from September through May, which rules out transferring adult theater. He thought two productions could be added. He stated Levy was a good option because it is dedicated to senior citizens from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday -Friday. The two theater programs would occur after those hours and saw no time conflict. He thought that many senior members would enjoy working with the youth theater program. He pointed out there is significant interest by Levy members in having a stage because of involvement in theater, dance and vocal productions. They would have to find storage space for costumesiprops, though rehearsal space is available. Alderman Kent asked for accountability standards for community service projects and what community service is performed by Noyes tenants. Alderman Rainey asked if the Arts Center on Sheridan Rd. is in the Northeast Historic Preservation District? No. She saw relocation of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre as a scheduling problem, especially moving one program to Noyes. She asked how the two theater groups at Family Focus work out a schedule? Mr. Gaynor stated if the adult and children's theaters do four performances each, that was eight annually. Currently at Noyes, the Next Theatre has four productions and he thought two additional could be squeezed in. Rehearsal time, set construction and costume work is now done in the Next Theatre space and, if removed, and the theater was used only for productions, there could be six. Alderman Kent recalled that strategic planning was done for Fleetwood-Jourdain; noted the community wants to see some kind of build -out of the theater there and asked Mr. Gaynor to elaborate. Mr. Gaynor stated Council accepted the strategic plan and one item (not in the 7-year plan) was to develop a 90-seat playhouse and attach it to Fleetwood- Jourdain Community Center. Challenges are cost (unidentified) and Family Focus (west of Fleetwood-Jourdain) owns to the drip line of the community center, so there is no place to expand unless they can get a long-term lease, purchase the property or it is given to the City. On the east side of the building there is a similar challenge. District 65 owns the land, including Foster Field and the tennis courts. Before any kind of expansion, the City would need long-term assurance the land would be available. Alderman Newman pointed to an unresolved issue at Noyes. In his campaign for alderman, his opponent said he was wrong because he supported City staff running Noyes Center. The Arts Council and Noyes tenants have a different view as to how much authority each body has. His position is that the Director of Parks/Forestry & Recreation should run that Center. The Arts Council and Noyes tenants have strong opinions on how that building should be managed and this remains, to some extent, an unresolved issue. In trying to plan, because this was unresolved by Council, he did not think staff could be criticized for unresolved issues at Noyes. He noted the Noyes Center had undergone a tremendous amount of improvement, including how it is managed and has greater cooperation, but it was hard to have an opinion without hearing from the artists and the Arts Council. Alderman Rainey asked if any negotiations had occurred between Fleetwood-Jourdain adult theater and the theater user at Noyes? Mr. Gaynor stated the City met with Next Theatre and was told they would not consider giving up any time in their theater. The annual lease expires June 1 and is negotiated over summer for the following season. Alderman 4 February 2, 2002 Rainey thought Next Theatre an important tenant at Noyes, but in listening to his comment, she asked who is in charge? Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked how they have a different approach to the Evanston Arts Center? He said they have to wrestle with the issue in committee, consider what people at the Arts Center want and look at it from a long-term perspective. They can consider the attitudes at Noyes before they move with certainty as to what they want to do there or if they do anything, yet they can be definitive to eliminate the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre altogether. He urged them to take a serious look at the approaches and suggested they are using a different approach for each. Alderman Newman said all arts programs bring something definitive to Evanston; asked for information on how many take classes at Noyes Center, the Arts Center, rates charged and scholarships offered. He pointed out there are different issues at each one. He thought Mr. Gaynor had made a serious effort to get a couple of Fleetwood-Jourdain shows over to Noyes; noted the Piven Theatre would like access to the Next Theatre space also. He said this was complicated; management organization is different at all and Council needs some education. CITIZEN COMMENT: Jean Esch, 917 Elmwood Ave., subscriber to Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre for over 20 years, said the community that supports it has put on the best shows ever and it was started when a lawsuit was filed to institute this type of art. She said it has been marketed insufficiently. Its location has affected revenue potential and needs to be moved. She called it a wonderful program that encourages young people and did not think they could afford to desert the program. Amy Eaton, artistic director, Evanston Children's Theater, in arts education since 1988, said there is no place she would be prouder to be a part of. Children come from all over the City and, as an adult, it is an incredible experience to watch 13-14 year old youth mentor 9-10 year old youth. She was in a program similar to this one and said it taught her a sense of pride, citizenship and being able to put a project in front of personal wishes. She believed the children she has worked with have done that successfully. She related they are expanding classes wherein the children will write original productions and in theater development. Casey Wait, 327 Dempster St., said she was in her third play at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and it is a great program for kids to go to and putting on a play makes others feel good too. She said if they close this program they do not know how many adults and kids they will be letting down. Laura Fox, 2419 Cowper Ave., said she has been at the theater for two years and is in her fourth play. She has had a dream of being a famous actress on Broadway and this theater has brought her closer to that dream. She will never forget her family or friends at the theater, who will do anything for others. She related all the relationships she plays. Next year she will attend ETHS and for others behind her, she asked that they not take away the place where dreams come true. Martha Burson, 1330 Greenwood St., is in her second play and has made more friends than any other place in her life. She has learned to act and get close to people she might never have met. She urged them not to close Children's Theater because it is a great thing that many people care about. Wanda Reed, 1825 Lemar Ave., has been a children's advocate for years and is a retired employee of ETHS. She stated children are our future and they should be considered. She suggested city hall should be be overhauled. Dr. Susan Warner, 807 Milburn St., a resident since 1973 and physician since 1980. She was proud to have delivered many of the actors. She stated children's theater was an important dimension in her childhood. Her children tried out for Peter Pan when the children's theater was at the Levy Center years ago and she supported it. She stated Evanston Children's Theater has given her children a sense of pride, ambition, accomplishment, confidence and teamwork, which have been building blocks to their future. Her son, who played Michael in Peter Pan nine years ago, has gone on to roles such as young Ebenezer Scrooge and Peter Cratchitt at the Goodman Theater. She urged these vital opportunities be provided for the community's children; described it as a good, clean, non -aggressive sport and not to eliminate it. ;30 5 February 2, 2002 Maddie Gieaold, 2622 Grant St., started at Children's Theater two years ago and is in her seventh play. She said the theater is a place where one can communicate with people with creativity and action. The theater brings her much joy. Michael W. Phillins, 1407 Greenleaf St., parent, said it was important to see the value of community theater; this particular theater is important; provides a theater that minorities can easily reach. He noted there is a theater company at Noyes on the east side of town and important that Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre stay where it is. He is an advocate for arts programs and a former member of the Arts Council. Roberta Hudson. 1941 Dewey Ave., lives across from Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, said it has an excellent director and has brought many improvements to the area. She stated idleness is the community's number one enemy. Children need to be kept busy. If they scuttle youth programs at Fleetwood-Jourdain, she predicted they will need to hire more police. She suggested they look for ways to expand programs for young people at Fleetwood-Jourdain, especially after school and on weekends. She has worked with young people from all walks of life at the Civic Opera Theater and this is one start they need. She said youth respect the center and area, which has no graffiti, and urged that money be found for youth programs. Carl Gieaold, 2622 Grant St., parent of Maddie, an architect who practices in the world of arts, thought he had a perspective on the struggle of all the arts have to keep funding. He found it frustrating to see $400 million for the Chicago Bears when music and dance theater is on its own to raise money. He said children in this program have an opportunity that sports don't give a child. Participants can put themselves in another's shoes. An actor becomes another person with another point of view and, he asked, what better training for understanding diversity and different points of view? What better example of community is there, than perhaps anything else the City funds? While Council is charged with balancing the financial budget, he suggested there are other "budgets" that need to be balanced that are less tangible but more important. He asked them to keep in mind that a venue is not the heart of an arts program but its home and a program without a home is at a severe disadvantage. Pat Greaorv, 1747 Grey Ave. member of Foster Park Neighbors stated the City talks about its diversity but is also a city that exploits this attribute when convenient. As a citizen she sees a gross disparity in the call to eliminate the Fleetwood- Jourdain Theatre. Elimination of this program would again demonstrate to the African -American community that providing cultural programs is not a priority, while simultaneously maintaining a European focused arts agenda. She stated the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre program costs $161,000 and divided by the total population costs $2.16 per citizen a year. When the revenue of $31,000 is subtracted, the cost is only $1.75 per citizen, a small price to pay for a program of interest to people of all racial backgrounds and income levels. She stated according to the 2000 Census, the African -American population here is 16,704 or 22.5% of the total. She noted even if they looked at the cost based on the African -American population the cost would be $7.78 per citizen to provide enriched cultural opportunities that focus on plays that educate others on the life experiences and interests of African -American people. She suggested the theater remain at Family Focus, which has served citizens for 21 years, helped stabilize the African -American community and has gained state/national recognition for Evanston. Judith Treadway, 612 Mulford St., a patron of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theater, asked if it represents values of citizens here? She stated they cannot close it to balance the budget. This theater represents a legacy of Evanston to provide cultural enrichment for all. She noted children participating in Children's Theater do not have a problem coming to the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre site. She observed that the City promotes diversity and cultural enrichment and all need to work on that and the only way to do that is to be together. She suggested they look at untapped revenues; noted in the citizen budget meetings there was no mention of the Evanston Arts Center paying more that $1 a year for the building at 2603 Sheridan Rd. She noted it is housed in a substantial lakefront mansion on prime real estate. She recommended that property be required to help ease the crisis and urged that Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre not be closed. She said the Evanston Arts Center is under Facilities Management for repairs of $60,000. Wendy Miller, said her children love drama and theater. When her daughter was two, she memorized The Wizard of Oz and at five was filming and directing her two -year -old sister singing "Pierre," the character who did not care. She was there because they care. She said they moved to Evanston because of Children's Theater. She loves Children's Theater �3 6 February 2, 2002 because it offers children an opportunity to be engaged in activities other than sports or music and builds community. It brings together rich and poor, black and white --children from all areas are encouraged to try out and become part of this endeavor. In practicing for a production, children come together as a team and get to know and appreciate each other. She urged the Evanston Children's Theater not be eliminated and agreed it is in a good location. She read a statement by her daughter, "if you take away this program you are not just taking something away from the kids you will be taking out a window into the world of acting in Evanston including writing, music and plays and actually performing. My life will be different if you take this away and definitely not for the better." Anne Berkelev. 2318 Ridgeway Ave., mother, school administrator and member of Leadership Evanston, invited Council to visit the Evanston Children's Theater on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.for a rehearsal. She said the theater has flourished under the leadership of Amy Eton and music director Scott Ramsey. She reported they had produced Annie Get your Gun, plus plays by local playwrights. The latest audition for the Mamet play Revenge of the Space Pandas drew more than 70 children. She noted that Ms. Eton creates as many roles and crew positions as possible for those who wish to participate. In every production, the audience is treated to a carefully crafted performance but may be unaware that the entire backstage crew is under age 14. She stated the theater is on the brink of expansion. Classes have been opened in scriptwriting, scene study, especially geared to middle school youth. She noted if this theater closes, Evanston children would not have access to neighboring children's theater groups, which are open only to residents. She said they would work with them on a compromise that was needed and thanked Council for support of the theater. Allen "Bo" Price, resident for 79-years, stated that closing Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre was like committing suicide. He has seen the changes in the community at Fleetwood-Jourdain and now in the theater. He has seen kids come to the theater and then go on to college. He stated they are working with the most important product in the community — our children and urged them to not shut the theater down. if they do, he said it would be a disgrace to the City and community. He has volunteered at Fleetwood-Jourdain for 50 years and knows what that theater means. Michelle Brodskv, 2509 Noyes St., spoke as a citizen and chair of the Arts Council. She looked forward to a dialogue with Council on the role of the Arts Council on long-term issues. She urged consideration of the heavy toll of proposed cuts. The cultural fund is the Arts Council's grant program, which last year awarded 19 grants totaling $43,000: $13,000 from the state and $30,000 from the City. Their statistics show that 60,000 people, including 15,000 students, were reached through that funding and 80% of the students were under -privileged or minority youth. She said more than three quarters of these programs were targeted to under served populations. She asked them to consider the economic impact and the state grant is slated to be cut. Lois Roewade, 933 Maple Ave., spoke about the proposed cut of the program manager position in the Cultural Arts Division. She said that position manages the Lakeshore Arts Festival and the Starlight Concerts, oversees the division's public relations, coordinates the common elements between the Lakeshore festival and Ethnic Arts Festival, gives on -site assistance to Black History Month, assists with Arts Week and oversees arts interns, basically a liaison with NU's program. She said it is both an administrative and program position. She is an independent arts promoter/event producer and knows what it takes to run these events. She said they could not be run with part-time people, interns or volunteers. If they want the positive elements the programs bring to Evanston, they must retain the program manager position. Bonnie Zak, 2738 Woodbine Ave., read a letter from Tensley Garris, executive director of the Evanston Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Evanston's rich and diverse cultural arts differentiate it from surrounding suburbs and play a crucial role in attracting visitors. No where is that role more important than in the presentation of festivals and activities. Each year more than 200,000 fill Evanston's downtown streets and lakefront for the Fountain Square Arts Festival, Ethnic Arts Festival, Lakeshore Arts Festival, Central Street Arts & Crafts Fair and the American Craft Exhibition. These events are often featured in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun -Times and other publications as reasons to come to Evanston. According to research more than 40,000 attendees visit Evanston and spend more than $2.8 million eating in Evanston restaurants, purchase art and spend money in retail establishments. The City collects tax revenues from these expenditures. Special events do not have to be revenue drains, in fact, they can produce revenue for the host institution or break even. Examine the recent Arts Week Evanston, which partnered with the Visitors Bureau and Evmark. The Arts Council produced more than 60 activities and reached more than 40,000 people through sponsorship by the Chicago )_3Z February 2, 2002 Tribune and 40 Evanston businesses. Laura Saviano, 540 Hinman Ave., chair, Public Arts Committee, said it supports the creation and maintenance of works of art for all and by integrating art into the public realm, the committee strives to enhance the quality of life, give visibility to Evanston's cultural diversity and stimulate economic growth. Public art is a vital part of Evanston's new economic emergence. A recent public arts symposium discussed goals to create more art in Evanston and increase dialogue with citizens about art. To do this, the volunteer committee depends heavily on City staff. Recently staff has helped them do research for a web site now under way; create an art map that shows all public art venues here and put on a well -attended arts symposium last fall. The proposal to cut the arts staff by one-third will prevent the Public Arts Committee from doing what it has been mandated to do, which is to provide public art that is essential to the health and well being of the community. At the symposium, president of Columbia College, Dr. Wharton Carter said "public art in Evanston tells our community and visitors that our citizens trust their government, their leadership, their policy -setting institutions to make big decisions on the quality of life that will affect everyone, everyday as they walk to work, dine in restaurants, shop in stores and conduct business... public art builds the community, celebrates the community, galvanizes the community and inspires the community." She urged them to help find more ways to generate money to create more public art and not to cut the cultural arts program manager position. Tonv Adler, 814 Monroe St., spoke as president of the Evanston Performing Arts Coalition and director of Actor's Gymnasium, as recipient of cultural fund grants and a representative of others who believe this fund does significant good for Evanston. The proposal is to cut $13,000 from the cultural fund budget and he urged Council not to make that cut because it is a great investment with an incredible rate of return. He asked them to consider: an Evanston theater company designs a project that could provide performances and workshops for 1,000 District 65 children at a cost of $15,000. The company writes a proposal for $2,000 and gets $1,200. Armed with this endorsement, the company looks for 111,800 but finds only $6,300, That is enough to run half the project so that is what they do, so 500 children see professional quality performances and participate in professionally led workshops at a cost to the City of $1,200. Not only does this money enrich children, it employs artists, inspires teachers, enriches local merchants who sell supplies to the company, and encourages diversity in the arts because a company cannot get a cultural grant unless they are as diverse as Evanston itself. He said there is an expectation that people pay into the arts without concrete rewards. He stated the cultural fund pays out much more than it costs and gives value. He asked them to cut something that doesn't work instead of something that does. Penelope Sachs, 2415 Pioneer Rd., parent and boiird member of Evanston Symphony Orchestra, urged that grant money not be cut. She stated the orchestra has received grant funds for two years and used the funds for outreach programs of value to the City and children. The Arts Council is rigorous in its analysis of grant funds, allocates a certain percentage to any project and recipients have to find matching funds. The arts grant enabled them to show other funders that the community supports particular projects and they were able to leverage the grant to meet their budget. Without the arts grant, these projects would not have gotten off the ground. This year they have a music -to -art program in all District 65 middle schools called "Play me a Picture, Paint me a Tune" which she hoped some had seen in downtown Evanston during January. She stated teachers value the program, which involves about 600 children and allows them to teach multiple skills and exposes middle school children to classical music. Michael Hammond, new director of the National Endowment for the Arts (who died tragically recently) said he took that job because of September 11, which made him realize the value of arts in society. Arts make a society great, not merely functional. She urged them to continue to make Evanston great through the grants program. Shellev Gibbons, 550 Forest Ave., managing director of Art Encounter, a non-profit art/education organization at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, read a letter from Johanna Pinsky, founder and artistic director of Art Encounter. "I am sorry I cannot be here today but I want to tell you how grateful we are at Art Encounter for support from the Arts Council's cultural arts fund. Over the years seed money from the cultural fund has enabled us to develop art programs that enrich the lives of the elderly, elementary and high school students, immigrant mothers and their children. This commitment and startup funds from the City have been crucial to attract support from foundations and corporations for programs to enrich the lives of many Evanston residents. Currently, Art Encounter is bringing a program Multi -Cultural Perspectives to District 65 fifth -grade classrooms. Support for EAC has helped them obtain additional funding to expand this D-33 8 February 2, 2002 program. Last year the cultural fund helped them initiate an intergenerational art and photography project that builds friendships between ETHS students and elderly residents. The EAC seed money for this project has also led to further contributions to continue it. Other Art Encounter programs, which were initially supported by the fund, are continuing with new funders. They are also able to provide art and art education for seniors in group settings and in assisted care facilities as well as for mothers and their children at Family Focus at the after school center. She stated cultural funds are crucial to attract ongoing support, lend a mark of legitimacy and asked that it be maintained at its current level. John Freda, 327 Dempster St., professional artist, stated the Lakeshore Arts Festival is a vital part of Evanston's identity and would whither away without the work of dozens of volunteers directed by a full-time arts manager. He has supported himself as an artist most of his life in the U.S. and Europe. He moved to Evanston 16 years ago because of its friendly, diverse people and outstanding cultural attractions. Exhibiting and selling his paintings at the Lakeshore Arts Festival was a decisive factor in moving here. After 35 years of exhibiting in galleries and art fairs around the country, he felt the lakeshore festival is elegant, high quality, relaxed and non-commercial, a tribute to Dawes Park. He stated the Lakeshore and Ethnic festivals are part of community building, lifeblood of Evanston and give it a competitive advantage, which is not lost on other communities such as Chicago, Ann Arbor, MI and Alexandria, VA that realize the huge economic multiplier effects from support of the arts. Evanston has tremendous arts potential that needs public investment to celebrate and improve this unique city. Sallv Parsons. 1610 Monroe St., Arts Council member, emphasized that eliminating the program manager position will mean there will be no more Lakeshore Arts Festival because one-third of the staff has been cut. It will also affect the Starlight Concerts. She noted the Lakeshore Arts Festival celebrates its 30`h year and asked that they reconsider that position. On the possible elimination of $13,000 for grants, that has the potential of erasing 3-10 grants that could be made to valuable arts activities for Evanston citizens. Linda Rosario., 2813 Park PI., Arts Council member, agreed with Alderman Newman that they would like to look at all arts programs and see what can be done to increase investment so wonderful programs that are important to Evanston don't have to be cut. She stated that $1,000 in grant money is multiplied four or five times because City endorsement means arts organizations can obtain additional funds; that arts programs help people that need it most. Arts contribute direct revenue by attracting tourists. She pointed out that Evanston's neighbors to the north are discovering the arts and are building performing arts centers, more galleries and scheduling arts events on the same weekends as Evanston. She urged them to open their eyes to the richness of artists in the community and culture that is here and invest in it more. Shannon Battaelia, 927 Noyes St., executive director for Kids Can Dance, a non-profit organization at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, said they have 40 students from the Evanston community who do not pay and rehearse/dance for about six hours a week and receive $10,000 annually in free training. They also offer classes to the public at a discounted rate, so overall they are serving the community through the cultural funding they get from the City. Without these funds they cannot offer free programming for 40 students. She asked them to consider the purpose this program serves. Gail Currv. 2527 Thayer St., Next Theatre board member, stated Next is a professional theater and a jewel in Evanston's crown. She stated Alderman Newman was correct when he said the arts bring something special to Evanston. When the children at Fleetwood-Jourdain talk about what theater gives them they are correct. As a professional actress, acting is a skill and craft that is applicable in many fields. Teachers, lawyers, ministers or executives can enhance their careers due to theater training as a child. Performance training for youth is important and an enormous benefit to them. When they talk about putting the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre into the space occupied by Next Theatre, it won't work. Down time between shows currently is a week. She understood there is a two-year contract not up until May 2003 and they pay $30,000 annually in rent with dates negotiated annually. They are grateful for $2,000 from the Arts Council. She stated the timing does not work out. She pointed out Next Theatre has improved the theater with new seats and a sound booth. During summer space is available to other groups. She said they can either have the Next Theatre or someone else but hoped Next would not have to leave Evanston. Richard Seaman, 1411 Mulford St., reported he was a product of children's theater. As a child he was shy and theater helped him learn to speak publicly. As current president of Robert Crown Community Center, he has observed arts and a3y 9 February 2, 2002 recreation for over 30 years serving on various boards. He noted the program manager position has been passed back and forth between recreation and the Arts Council; 20-30,000 people annually attend the Lakeshore Arts Festival, which he helped coordinate for 13-years as a volunteer. Fie reported the 41h of July Association parade brings in 50,000 people and more than 100,000 for fireworks. He said there was a plan in the 1970s to explore the possibility of a boat marina and a need for over 10 years for more ice time at Robert Crown Center. There is structural damage at Robert Crown, yet it remains open. He stated the 41h of July Association and First Night help underwrite the cost of the Starlight Concerts; asked for support of the arts programs and to explore the possibility of a community center at the former Dominick's site in Southeast Evanston. Alderman Newman asked if the arts grants of $43,000 administered by the Arts Council were part of the City Manager's million -dollar package? Yes. The program manager is in major cuts. If the arts program (K) was put back in, both would be restored. Don Colleton, 1724 Wesley Ave., spoke on behalf of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre; said it makes an important contribution to Evanston. Its cultural riches make a distinctive offering that no other has in the depth and breadth of African -American offerings. He said that theater is a symbol, like a flag, and urged them not to take that flag down. It is evidence of the City's recognition of the important contributions that African -American literature and drama make to this community and that is sacred to their inclusive population. Jean Esch, 917 Elmwood Ave., stated the Ecology Center is Evanston's wonderful nature center; cuts there take away all clerical help and the center cannot function without it. She stated the Ecology Center is a development of the Evanston Environment Association, which raised funds to develop the arboretum and the building. After it was bought and paid for it was given to the City, which pays for staff: a full-time director, two environmental educators, plus one part-time and one full-time clerical. The full-time clerical position is described in the budget as unfilled, but it has been filled. She did not know how the center could function without clerical help; suggested more discussion was needed by Council about the functions, funding and outside fund-raising to support this activity. She noted all pay a healthy tax to Cook County, which pays nothing toward this and urged the City get some return on funds paid to Cook County. Gordon Guth, 1404 Rosalie St., Ladd Arboretum Committee member, faxed a letter about elimination of the clerical position at the Ecology Center; noted they have three people teaching classes to thousands of youth and adults. He termed the Ecology Center an important expansion of the educational system and, if there is no clerical person and classes are in session, the front door will be unattended. If someone comes in for a purchase or information the clerical person handles that. They monitor, answer questions and phones, act as an extension of staff and are critical to the operation of the Ecology Center. Council Discussion. Alderman Newman thought the Ecology Center cut was part of the $1 million cuts. He said early on he had to understand the million dollars in cuts in order to vote. Council had received a full memo from Parks and Facilities Management but was not sure about the rest of the departments. He asked if there would be more reports on cuts in the million dollars. Mr. Crum stated memo #10 was a summary of all cuts. Alderman Newman asked for one list of all cuts included in the million dollars. Management & Budget Director Pat Casey stated that would be provided. Alderman Rainey asked how long the clerical position at the Ecology Center had been vacant before it was filled? Mr. Gaynor stated the position is still vacant and a temporary part-time person does the job. It has been vacant for 15-18 months, was reclassified to clerk and put on hold. Alderman Rainey asked how it was filled? Mr. Gaynor responded that somebody was brought in part time from the outside and is paid an hourly rate to do some of the clerical work. The position was in the 2001-02 budget. Alderman Rainey asked when the full-time person left? About 15-18 months ago. When Alderman Rainey got Mr. Guth's fax, she thought the arts people and Ecology Center people were right. Losing these positions will decimate these programs. When they looked into the positions, they found they have been vacant for a long time. One has to ask if a position has been vacant for a long time, how critical is it to a program? Mr. Gaynor stated when any position becomes vacant, there is a period of time to recruit for it. Staff decided to reclassify this position, which took a considerable amount of time. The work has been done by a part-time person. Alderman Rainey a 3s 10 February 2, 2002 asked the savings? Mr. Gaynor thought it was probably two-thirds but because of labor laws, they are not permitted to have that person work full-time hours so all of the work is not being done. Alderman Newman found in budget memo #10 school crossing guards were on David Jennings' list. Neal Ney's memo talks about branch library cuts. A different memo fi-orn the Fire Department show actual cuts — #5200 - $36,700 for annual replacements and upgrades for EMS/firefighting and special rescue equipment. The Fire Department will develop a long-term equipment replacement schedule for EMS, fire and special rescue equipment to be included in future operating budgets. He asked what it meant? Mr. Casey explained that meant the City did not have a comprehensive long- term replacement for their capital needs. It was put on hiatus for one year and the Fire Department was asked to develop long-term capital replacement needs for equipment. Mr. Casey stated nobody would be put at risk. Alderman Rainey asked how they could save $36,700 in the General Fund if these are capital items? Mr. Casey stated capital is used two different ways. One is the Capital Improvement Program and the other is budgeted under operating capital for smaller capital needs $5-10,000. A memo will be prepared on this. Alderman Rainey asked how the $36,700 was spent last year? Alderman Newman asked the specific number on cutting basketball at Mason Park? Mr. Gaynor stated it is about a $2,000 reduction, which was driven by competition with summer school and a number of youth have started going to the programs at Robert Crown Center and Fleetwood-Jourdain -- reduction of participants but still providing lunches and starting an hour later in the morning. Alderman Newman referred to line item "at -risk opportunities, $13,200" which he assumed was reduced. He read the reductions in $13,200: reduction in hours in Mason Park drop-off program; reduction of basketball programs at Mason site grid other programs at Fleetwood-Jourdain and Southeast Evanston recreation/education center; restructuring in Mason 1=ark league games, fewer games; program offerings at Fleetwood- Jourdain and Southeast Evanston recreation center; food cost decrease as a result of the number of meals served in the summer food program (the state will no longer reimburse us for meals.); recreational supplies decreased as a result of restructuring the summer program offerings; the hotrr:s at Mason Park have been reduced and the program at Southeast Evanston recreation center will be changed to no lorrg cr operate like a camp program. He said to restore what he had read, they would have to go into the $1 million cuts. It was hard for him to understand how much was at Mason and the Southeast recreation center. Alderman Newman noted on one line they have the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre being eliminated at $130,000 and on another line there is a cart of $24,700 at Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, reduction in program staff, restructuring other programs, full and part-time: workers will be assigned some of those duties. He found this hard to understand. Under Facilities Management, Budget Memo #10, there is a $35,600 reduction in building maintenance materials, which means fewer funds available to maintain the City's 45 buildings. He asked for further explanation. Mr. Crum reminded Council that this was approached as a budget crisis, the worst the City has had in many years. He stated there are many cuts staff does not like to make and they will expand the explanation. Alderman Newman was not critical but wanted to understand what they are doing. He found the cuts included in the million dollars harder to understand and knows they have an impact. Alderman Rainey noted Alderman Newman was talking about the total cuts for construction and repair. Alderman Newman said building maintenance services were reduced from $24,000 to $13,000 a $9,000 cut. Building Maintenance materials was reduced from $44,000 to $35,600, materials to maintain buildings was reduced from $8,000 to $4,000 and overtime pay reduced from $15,000 to $5,000. Alderman Rainey said they have a stack of #10 budget memos, with no headers/footers or dates, which made it difficult to keep them in order and know how many pages were in each. Mayor Morton asked if the City has received 2001 taxes from the County? Mr. Stafford explained the due date for the first estimate on property taxes is March 1. She asked whether the railroad tax was included? Mr. Stafford said it is a separate line, differentiated out as railroad property and the City receives the railroad tax with other property taxes. Mayor Morton asked if there were back taxes due the City? Mr. Stafford stated there was a one-time event when Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas took office after former Treasurer Rosewell was out. He stated the City still gets back taxes from prior years. Part of the problem is when Council passes a resolution for taxes, the City generally gets about 97-98% of those because some don't pay so he never gets exactly the amount put in the budget for taxes, but close to it. Prior money is catch-up money. The annual audit includes the percentage of taxes collected for10 years. 236 I I February 2, 2002 Alderman Newman commented that each department head communicates information differently (he liked the Fire Chiefs presentation) asked if the City got the new financial software will the information come the same way? No. Mr. Stafford stated it was a matter of standardizing responses internally. Alderman Rainey assumed all had received a letter from Family Housing Services of Connections for the Homeless, which presented a program that duplicates Emergency Assistance. She proposed that staff create a memo where the City would contract with them to administer Emergency Assistance. She said they have administrative staff set up to do this and the City would have to add money to their program. She did not see the City saving significant dollars by contracting with the Township. Alderman Kent requested information from David Jennings on the red box (dumpster) program and marketing it. He referred to a letter from a citizen who suggested winter/summer carnivals and other events to raise money for the City. There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn. The Council so moved at 11:48 a.m. Mary P. Morris, City Clerk A videotape recording of this meeting has been made n�i t of the nermanent record and is available in the Citv Clerk's office. 1 1 1 1 1